3 ballot measures heading to fall election in Orange County

Orange County voters will be asked to sort out a trio of local ballot measures this fall.

An appointed Charter Review Commission will start finalizing the ballot wording next week.

Here is a rundown of issues voters will see on the ballot:

•Internet cafes. Orange elected leaders already have banned them in the unincorporated parts of the county, but the ballot measure, if approved, would ensure those rules apply inside its cities.

Foes say that the so-called strip-mall casinos could breed financial problems for customers and crime nearby. Supporters say they are merely entertainment and support surrounding businesses.

•Village Advisory Boards.Pine Hills has about 60,000 residents, but no formal elected leadership or taxing powers because it's not incorporated.

So voters will get a chance to decide if that or any other unincorporated community can set up a Village Advisory Board, where some type of town hall-style group could gather to make recommendations to elected leaders.

Proponents say it could give more sway to smaller, sometimes neglected communities. Critics say the boards may be easily ignored and could be a step toward creating a taxing entity that might not be needed.

"The commission is still working out the details of how it would function, and how it would interact with county government," said Wade Vose, the charter panel attorney.

•Mayor and commissioner appointments. If approved, the measure would essentially support taking the ability to make temporary appointments away from the governor – where the power now rests – and hand filling vacancies to commissioners and the mayor until a special election could pick a permanent replacement.

Proponents say that power should be in local hands, not Tallahassee. However, even if Orange County voters approve this measure, further action by the Legislature would be needed. The same issue must go to Florida voters as a future state constitutional amendment for approval.

The charter panel also shot down several measures, including:

•Expanded Orange County Commission. The charter panel voted 8-7 to reject asking for an expanded County Commission, from six to eight board members, while retaining the elected countywide mayor post.

Proponents said it would allow for broader representation on the elected board, to better reflect the area's growing diversity, especially Hispanics. Opponents said it would be costly and unnecessary.

•Sheriff's Citizen Review. The charter panel rejected the creation of a neutral citizen review panel to look at Sheriff's Office investigations. A similar board previously existed but was disbanded after courts ruled the panel did not possess subpoena powers.

Critics of creating another one said it's not needed since Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings revived a similar panel. But supporters of the idea say the current one may not be viewed as completely neutral.

"What concerns me about the sheriff's panel is, it's not independent," said charter review board member Thomas Katheder, who added that his criticism is not aimed at Demings.